Projecting-kinetoscope.



Patented 000.2 J. H. WHITE PBUJEC'I'ING KINETOSCOPE. 1

(Application filed Apr. 16, 1902) 4Sheats-5heat l.

(lo Model.)

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No. 714,845. -Pafnted 1m. 2, 1902.-

H. WHITE.

PROJ ECTING KINETOSCOPE.

I (Application filed Apr. 16, 1902.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet a.

witnessed: l nventor I Z Q a meafif ms NoRwvs PETE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. WVHITE, OF ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THOMAS A.

EDISON, OF LLEWELLYN PARK, NEW JERSEY.

PROJECTING-KENETOSCOPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 714,845, dated December 2, 90

Application filed April 16, 1902. Serial No. 103,166. (No model.)

To all whom it nuty concerw Be it known that I, JAMES H. WHITE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Projecting-Kinetoscopes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in projecting-kinetoscopes, and particularly to the mechanism for feeding the film, for supporting the film, for adjusting the film with respect to the objective, and for au tomatically taking up the film after each feed movement.

The invention also relates to novel means by which a stereopticon may be combined with the projecting kinetoscope, whereby when the kinetoscopic film is being rewound and a new film placed in position a series of stereopticon-pictures may be projected on the screen for the entertainment of the audience.

My objects are to provide improvements in the particulars indicated whereby the device as a whole will be simple in construction and efficient in use.

In carrying the invention into effect I provide a feeding-frame having one or more teeth for engaging perforations in the film, which frame at one end is connected to a pivoted link and at the other end to a rotating crank, whereby on its downstroke the frame will engage with, advance the film, and be withdrawn therefrom and on its return stroke be moved with respect to the film to a position to again engage the same, said crank being preferably operated byasystem of elliptic gears, whereby the downward movement of the frame is more rapidthan the return movement, so that the periods of rest of the film will be greater than the periods of movement thereof. This feeding mechanism is carried on an auxiliary casing secured to the main casing of the apparatus, but removable therefrom when the film is to be inserted in place.

The main casing supporting the feed mechanism is adjustable with respect to the objective to permit the pictureto be quickly centered with respect to' the latter. The improved take-up mechanism consists of a takeup reel removably carried by the main frame of the apparatus and driven from a pulley on the adjustable casing by an elastic belt, which permits the casing to be adjusted with respect to the take-up reel and also allows the latter to rotate at a gradually decreasing speed as the film accumulates thereon. The main frame of the apparatus, which carries the objective, also supports the objective of a stereopticon at the side of the kinetoscopic objective, and said frame is movable laterally on ways, so as to bring the stereopticon-objective between the light and the screen when the stereopticon-pictures are to be projected on the latter.

The entire device is simple in construction, compact in its make-up, and durable and efficient in use.

In order that the invention may be better understood, attention is directed to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a side View showing a part of the bellows and illustrating the stereopticon-objective in dotted lines; Fig. 2, a front view of the same; Fig. 3, a central longitudinal sectional view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the feed mechanism, the feeding-frame being illustrated midway on its downstroke; Fig. 4., a detail sectional view, on the same scale, showing the feeding-frame midway on its return stroke; Fig. 5, a front elevation of the auxiliary casing carrying the feed mechanism; Fig. 6, a rear elevation of the main casing and driving mechanism, and Fig. 7 a detail view illustrating a lock for locking the kinetoscopic objective in its operative position with respect to the light.

In all of the above views corresponding parts are represented by the same numerals of reference.

A suitable base 1 carries a bellows 2, behind which is located the electric or other powerful light. Mounted in a bracket 3 is a guide 4, on which slides'a sleeve 5. This sleeve carries a bracket 6, having a socket 7 at its end, the latter receiving an arm 8, supporting a frame 9, in which is carried an ordinary stereopticon-objective 10. A thumb-screw l1 permits vertical adjustment of this'objective to be made. The sleeve 5 is also provided with a horizontal arm 12, (see Fig. 1,) supported at its forward end by a roller 13 to permit the sleeve 5 to be readily shifted laterally on the guide 4. The arm 12 is split at its forward end in the usual way and by means of a screw 14 clamps a stud 15 on the main frame 16, so as to rigidly support the latter. This frame carries the objective 17 of the projecting-kinetoscope, the latter objective being arranged on the same horizontal plane with the objective 10, so that by shifting the sleeve 5 to one or the other of its extreme positions either objective may be moved intoline with thebellows 2. The frame 16 is provided with a pair of vertical guides 18, and movable on said guides is a main casing 19, carrying the feeding mechanism. The main casing 19 is provided with a rack 20, engaginga gear 21, the shaft of which is provided with an adjusting-lever 22 thereon. By moving the lever 22 the main casing 19 may be adjusted vertically with respect to the objective 17, as will be understood. Mounted in the main casing 19 are the lower and upper feedrollers 23 and 24, respectively, with which the film engages in the usual way. Between these feed-rollers is a light sheet-metal platen 25, having arms 26, which hook over the two rods 27, and the ends of said arms are borne upon by springs 28, which press the platen 25 rearwardly, so as to engage the film with an elastic pressure to hold it always flat and to maintain it stationary after a feeding movement thereof has been effected. The platen 25 is provided with a central opening 29 therein, (see Fig. 6,) through which the light is projected, and with side slots 30, in which the fingers of the feeding-frame Work, as will be explained. The auxiliary frame is formed of side members 31, connected by cross-bars 32. Each side member of the feeding-frame is provided with a slot 33 atits lower end, engaging with one of the cross-bars of the main casing, and at its upper end the auxiliary casing is locked to the main casing by a yoke 34 and spring-lock 35. The front of the auxiliary casing is formed of a plate 36, (see Fig. 5,) having slots 37 for accommodating the teeth of the feed-rollers 23 and 24, and slots 38, through which the teeth of the feedingframe project. 'This plate is also provided with slots 39, through which extend fingers 40, bent rearwardly from the platen 25 and which guide the film in its travel to prevent lateral movement thereof. Working behind the plate 36 is the feeding-frame 41, usually rectangular in form, the side members of which carry the feedingteeth 42. I show three of these teeth on each side; but the number is obviously immaterial. The feeding-teeth 42 engage the perforations of the film and work in the slots and 38. The feeding-frame 41 is connected at one end by a link 43 to a swinging arm 44 and at its other end to acrank 45 on a shaft 46. By rotating the latter shaft in the direction of the arrow, Figs. 3 and 4, the teeth 42 Will be engaged with the film on the doWnst-roke and withdrawn therefrom on the return stroke, whereby the film will partake of an intermittent or step-by-step movement. The shaft 46 is driven by means of elliptic gears 47, arranged as shown, so that the downward movement of the feeding-frame 41 will be very much more rapid than its return movement in order that the periods of rest of the film may be greater than the periods of movement thereof, as is desirable to secure the best results in practice. The elliptic gears 47 are driven by suitable gearing operated by a crank 48, (see Fig. 1,) which gearingincludes gears 49 on the shafts of the feed-rollers 23 and 24, which will thus be continuously rotated. The particular arrangement of gearing employed is unimportant, and that shown will be readily understood by reference to the drawings. A gear 50 drives a shaft 51, (see Figs. 1 and 3,) which by means of bevelgearing 52 rotates a shutter shaft 53, on which is a shutter 54 of common form, the latter serving to periodically cover and disclose the opening 29 in the platen 25 to thereby disclose the pictures on the film during the periods of rest and exclude light therefrom during the periods of movement.

Removably secured to the main frame 16 by set-screws 55 is a bracket 56, carrying a let-off reel 57, on which the film is wound. One or both of the bearings of the bracket 56 are open, Fig. 1, so as to permit the let-ofi reel 57 to be readily removed when desired. The bracket 56 is provided with a gear 58 for driving a pinion 59 on the shaft of the let-off reel to permit the film to be rewound after it has been exposed. Removably secured to the lower part of the frame'16 by set-screws 60 is a bracket-arm 61, carrying the take-up reel 62. The shaft of this take-up reel is provided with a pulley 63, and the shaft of the lower feed-roll 23 is provided with a pulley 64,which pulleys are connected by an elastic belt 65, made, preferably, of a wire coil. Such a belt permits the main casing 19, carrying the pulley 64, to be adjusted with respect to the take-up reel and also allows a slip between the pulleys and said belt, whereby the takeup reel may be driven at a gradually-decreasing speed as the film accumulates thereon. 1 illustrate a shutter 66, pivoted to the frame 9, and which is adapted to be swung down to cut off the heat-rays from the film when the latter is stationary to prevent injury to the same from this cause. A look is preferably employed to secure the sleeve 5 in position when the objective 17 is in line with the bellows, so that the movements of the handle 48 will not disturb said objective. A convenient lock for this purpose is shown in Fig. 7, wherein 67 is a plate secured to the base 1, (see also Fig. 1,) carrying a cam 68 for engagement with a block 69 on the arm 12. By depressing the finger-piece of this cam the block 69 will be jammed downward, so as to rigidly lock the arm 12 in the desired position. The apparatus is provided with the usual rollers 70, over which the film runs between the two reels.

If desired, a hollow case 71 may be carried by the main frame 16 between the platen 25 and the objective 17 to prevent dissipation of light within the apparatus.

In operation the let-off reel 57, carrying the film, is first mounted in position, and the auxiliary casing is then removed by lifting the yoke 34 and freeing the slots 33, it being understood that the sleeve 5 is shifted to one side to bring the stereopticon-objective 10 in line with the bellows. During this time stereopticon pictures can be disclosed on the screen, as will be obvious. The film is now brought down and engaged over the feedroller 24, is then looped between said feedroller and the platen 25, is smoothly laid against said platen, is looped between the platen and the feed-roller 23, and from the latter leads to the take up reel 62. The auxiliary casing is now replaced, so that the film will be elastically pressed by the springs 28 between the platen 25 and plate 36 and the teeth 42 be engaged with the perforations in said film. By rotating the crank 48 the feed-rollers 23 will be continuously turned to advance the film toward and from the platen 25. At the same time the feedingframe 41 will be operated to feed the film with an intermittent movement, the periods of rest being greater than the periods of motion, as will be understood. The shutter 54 will be also operated to uncover the film during the periods of'rest. The take-up reel 62 will be driven forward to always maintain the tension on the film between the take-up reel and the lower feed-roller 23. By operating the adjusting-lever 22 the bottom line of the succeeding pictures can be brought to the desired position on the screen. After the moving pictures have been exhibited the sleeve 5 is moved to one side to bring the objective 10 in line with the bellows to permit a series of lantern-slides to be exhibited for the entertainment of the audience. During this time the auxiliary casin g is again removed, whereby the film will be disengaged from the feedrollers 24;, and the film is then rewound onto the let-off reel and a new film inserted in place.

While I prefer to use my improved projecting-kinetoscope in connection with a stereopticon, as in this way a series of stereopticon-pictures can be projected on the screen while the film is being changed, yet it will of course be evident that the projecting-kinetm scope can be used without the stereopticon. It will also be evident that the improvements in projecting-kinetoscopes which I have described and by which the film will be intermittently fed and exposed during the periods of rest can be applied without modification to a kinetograph or moving-picture camera, it being only necessary to provide the film with the desired sensitive coating, which is properly protected from light, the film being developed after exposure and positive prints being produced therefrom.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. In a combined projecting-kinetoscope and stereopticon, the combination of a stationary bellows, a stereopticon-objeotive, a kinetoscopic objective, means for feeding a moving-picture film with respect to the latter objective, and means for simultaneously moving both objectives laterally with respect to the bellows to bring either of said objectives in line therewith, substantially as set forth.

2. In a combined projecting-kinetoscope and stereopticon, the combination of a stationary bellows, a stereopticon-objective, a kinetoscopic objective, means for feeding a moving-picture film with respect to the latter objective, means for simultaneously moving both objectives laterally with respect to the bellows to bring either of said objectives in line therewith, and means for locking the kinetoscopic objective in its disclosed position, substantially as set forth.

3. In a combined projecting-kinetoscope and stereopticon, the combination with a stationary bellows, of a laterally-movable sleeve, a stereopticon objective carried by said sleeve, a kinetoscopic objective carried by said sleeve, and mechanism carried by said sleeve for feeding a moving-picture film relatively to the latter objective, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a combined projectingkinetoscope and stereopticon, the combination with a stationary bellows, of a laterally-movable sleeve, a stereopticon objective carried by said sleeve, a kinetoscopic objective carried by said sleeve, mechanism carried by said sleeve for feeding a moving-picture film relatively to the latter objective, and means for adjusting said feeding mechanism with respect to said kinetoscopic objective, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a combined projecting-kinetoscope and stereopticon, the combination with a stationary bellows, of a horizontally-movable sleeve, a stereoptioon-objective removably carried by said sleeve, a kinetoscopic objective removably carried by said sleeve, and mechanism carried by said sleeve for feeding a moving-picture film with respect to the latter objective, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a combined projecting-kinetoscope and stereopticon, the combination with a stationary bellows, of a horizontally-movable sleeve, a stereopticon-objective carried by said sleeve and vertically adjustable with respect to the same, a kinetoscopic objective carried by said sleeve and also vertically adj ustable with respect to the same, and means carried by said sleeve for feeding a movingpicture film with respect to the latter objective, substantially as set forth.

7. In a combined projecting-kinetoscope and stereopticon, the combination with a stationary bellows, of a horizontally-movable sleeve, a stereopticon objective carried by said sleeve and vertically adjustable with respect to the same, a kinetoscopic objective carried by said sleeve and also vertically adjustable with respect to the same, means carried by said sleeve for feeding a moving-picture film with respect to the latter objective, andmeans for independently adjusting said feeding means with respect to said kinetoscopic objective, substantially as set forth.

8. In a kinetoscope or kinetograph, the combination with a main casing and film-feeding rolls mounted in said casing, of an auxiliary casing removably secured to the main casing, and mechanism carried by said auxiliary casing for intermittently feeding the film, substantially as set forth.

9. In a kinetoscope or kinetograph, the combination with continuously-rotating film-feeding rollers, of a reciprocating film-feeding frame, a link connected with one end of said feeding-frame, a slotted pivoted arm sup-. porting said link, a crank supporting the other end of said feedingframe, and elliptical gears for rotating said crank, substantially as set forth.

10. In a kinetoscope or kinetograph, the combination with a main casing, film-feeding rollers mounted in said casing, and a plate located between said rollers and tangentially with respect to the same, of an auxiliary casing removably secured to the main casing, a

platen on said auxiliary casing extending parallel with said plate, and mechanism carried by the auxiliary casing for intermittently feeding the film, substantially as set forth.

11. In a kinetoscope or kinetograph, the combination with a main casing, film-feeding rollers mounted in said casing, and a plate located between said rollers and tangentially with respect to the same, of an auxiliary casing removably secured to the main casing, a platen on said auxiliary casing extending parallel with said plate, and a reciprocating filmfeeding frame carried by the auxiliary casing and provided with feeding-fingers which work in slots in said plate and platen respectively, substantially as set forth.

12. In a kinetoscope or kinetograph, the combination with film-feeding mechanism, of a take-up reel, means for adjusting the filmfeeding mechanism with respect to the takeup reel, and an elastic belt connecting the shaft of said take-up reel with the film-feeding mechanism, whereby said belt will rotate the take-up reel irrespective of the position of its adjustment, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this th day of April, 1002.

JAMES H. WHITE.

Witnesses:

J. F. RANDOLPH, J. A. BOEHME. 

